Budget fight far from over

The state budget has cleared its first major hurdle, but the race is far from over.

The Legislature's Joint Finance Committee put its final stamp on the budget bill on Friday, and the Assembly could take it up early next week. JFC co-chair Mark Pocan (D-Madison) says some changes are still possible though, before it goes to the governor. He says they always expect a few tweaks to the bill, but the substance of the bill will likely remain intact.

State Representative Robin Vos (R-Racine) says Republican lawmakers will fight to remove tax and fee increases included in the budget, and he expects some Democrats will join them. During the committee process, Democrats did vote with Republicans against some budget provisions. Vos says those numbers could grow when it goes to the full Legislature.

Vos says the fight is far from over, despite a Republican minority in both houses.